What are EU institutions?

EU Institutions are the structures that run the European Union. Their major characteristic is that they were set up to operate distinctly from the countries which form the EU. So in the same way as, for example, the Maltese parliament operates at national level, so too, EU institutions operate at European level, that is, above the national level.

But although operating at EU level, EU institutions are composed of individuals who are nationals of EU countries and who represent different interests depending on the institution in which they work, whether national interests (Council), the interests of citizens (Parliament) or the common European interest (the Commission).